Ministry Teams and Special Roles

Service on Ministry Teams is the way we combine our individual efforts to address or achieve large goals together. Each Ministry Team has a description that includes its purpose, skills useful in the team’s work, and the team’s general responsibilities. Each group includes the “norms” or the guidelines to follow in our service together. Ministry Chair-people are provided training each year. Most Ministry Team meetings are started with prayer or a shared litany. This helps us remember that we are people of faith and examine decisions and actions in the light of our mission and values at CPUC.

There are people who step-up to do Special Roles at church. In a smaller church setting, much gets done by folks sharing their individual interests and abilities. From Greeters to Communion Servers, and from the Newsletter Editor and to many other jobs, all kinds of important things get accomplished. People on Ministry Teams and doing Special Roles usually commit to one year of service at a time. We want people to make choices and feel energized in the work they do.

We would welcome you to join one of our ministry teams, or help in a special role, at any time. Please speak with the pastor to be connected to the right person to get you started.

Ministry Teams

Faith Life
The purpose of the Faith Life Ministry is to nurture spiritual growth for all ages, help children feel and enact God’s love in the world, and provide a safe space for questioning and exploration of the teachings and wisdom both of Christianity and other faith traditions. Faith Life is responsible for the Nursery. The Nursery’s mission statement is to provide a safe and welcome environment where our children come knowing they are loved by God, their church, and their community. The nursery staff and volunteers strive to teach, nurture, and embrace children with the boundless love of Jesus by modeling grace, forgiveness, and the love that Jesus taught.

Fellowship/Caring
The purpose of the Fellowship and Caring Ministry is to connect others in the church with care and fellowship with members and friends.

Finance Ministry
In response to God’s gracious gifts to us, the members and staff of Cherokee Park United Church seek to exhibit and maintain a diligent and respectful attitude in stewardship of gifts given to us for the mission of Cherokee Park and the wider Church in the world.

Lay Ministry
The purpose of the Lay Ministry Team is to strengthen the ministry of laity at Cherokee Park United Church by encouraging all members to use their respective gifts, talents, and interests in ministry to become active in the life of the congregation.

Outreach Ministry
The purpose of this ministry team encompasses two core missions. The team works to share the values and faith of the congregation in visible ways in the wider community. We also extend the inclusive welcome of Christ to newcomers and neighbors.

Property Management
The purpose of this ministry is to support the overall mission of the church by planning and carrying out maintenance and improvements to the church property and grounds, to provide an accessible and inviting church facility that is conducive to worship and other activities. Our building is used by other church groups and is open to community groups that promote a better life for all.

Seeds of Resistance
This ministry team is committed to working for Justice. We seek a just church, a just nation and a just world. We believe complex interwoven systems exist to maintain privilege of a few. We support resistance to all systems that stand in the way of achieving Justice for all. We work to plant Seeds of Resistance whenever and wherever we can. We work to support the victims of oppressive privilege who need help to survive and grow until change comes. We support the efforts of all members who plant Seeds of Resistance in other gardens or work to care for people in their individual communities. Seeds of Resistance recognizes that CPUC is a member of Saint Paul’s West Side community and believes in supporting the community’s organizations and people. We know that without change, our world is endangered and Seeds of Resistance must be planted in all fields to heal the earth.

Worship Ministry
The purpose of the Worship Ministry is to create a worship environment that is welcoming to all, nurtures a sense of the sacred, and helps connect the prayers we offer with the ministry we do.

Special Roles

Acolyte Assistant (coordinated by Worship Ministry Team)
The Acolyte assistant trains and supervises children in grades 3 through 8 who are willing to light the candles during worship.

Art Ministry Assistants (work with Worship and Outreach Ministries, as needed)
The purpose of the Art Ministry Assistants is to provide multi-ethnic visuals for CPUC. Artworks create a sense of welcome for all and the potential for experiencing the sacred through the sense of sight. We believe art enhances one’s experience of the divine and helps us reclaim our God given creativity and affirm it in others.

Choir
The purpose of the Cherokee Park United Church Choir is to enhance and add meaning to the worship service through a variety of musical experiences. We seek to make use of the gifts and talents God has given us by providing music that is affirming to our Christian faith and by helping the congregation participate in a meaningful way.

Communion Servers (coordinated by Worship Ministry Team)
Members of the church who are willing to serve and clean-up from communion service.

Counters (coordinated by Finance Ministry team)
Counters work in teams to count and record offerings after worship services.

Greeters/Ambassadors (coordinated by Outreach Ministry Team)
The purpose of these roles is to extend the peace and hospitality of Christ while helping visitors gain information and establish relationships within the faith community.

Lay Readers (coordinated by Pastor)
Lay Readers work with the Pastor to read for and help lead worship services.

Newsletter & Bulletin Publication (coordinated by Pastor)
People work with the Pastor and other ministry teams to prepare and publish the written material for worship and community life.

Nursery Care Providers (coordinated by Nursery teacher/ Faith Life Ministry)
Nursery care providers are volunteers who assist the nursery teacher and children in nursery during worship.

Offering Receivers (coordinated by Worship Ministry Team)
The purpose of the offering receivers is to receive the offering in a reverent, friendly manner.

Sunday School Teachers (coordinated by Faith Life Ministry)
The purpose of the Sunday School Teachers is to encourage questions and participation among the children as they learn about God, the living Christ, and the Holy Spirit. The teachers help the children grow in their faith by nurturing the love of God present in their lives.

Upcoming Events

Worship – Sundays, 10:15 am

Vision, Mission, and Values

Vision Statement: Fierce justice, Radical love, Abundant grace.

Mission Statement: We are an inclusive faith community, joining our neighbors, boldly living God’s love in a world of beauty and brokenness, as Jesus did.

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